The Fool’s Ascension

Jarek Thorn had been in a lot of bad situations before.

This was, without a doubt, top five.

A dozen hooded assassins now stood in the cavern, staring at him and Lena with the kind of icy calm that suggested they had killed people for much less.

The air felt tense, thick with the promise of violence.

Jarek leaned toward Lena and whispered, "So, uh… did you have a follow-up plan after kicking in the door?"

Lena grinned. "Yeah. Don't die."

Jarek sighed. "Oh, fantastic."

One of the assassins stepped forward, their face hidden beneath a deep hood. Their voice was low and cold.

"You have made a mistake."

Jarek nodded rapidly. "Agreed. Huge mistake. We'll just be going now—"

Lena held up a hand, cutting him off. "We're here for answers."

The lead assassin tilted their head. "You barge into our sanctum and demand knowledge?"

Jarek raised a finger. "To be fair, she did the barging. I was just dragged along."

Lena ignored him. "We know you sent someone after us last night."

The assassin said nothing.

Jarek crossed his arms. "Right, so we can just skip the dramatic silence and get to the part where you tell us what's going on."

A pause. Then the assassin's voice dropped even lower.

"We do not answer to outsiders."

Lena's hand tightened around her sword. "We're not leaving until we get answers."

Jarek sighed. "And we're fighting, aren't we?"

Lena smirked. "Obviously."

Jarek groaned.

The moment was shattered by the assassin lunging forward.

Lena met them head-on, steel flashing in the dim cavern light. Their swords clashed, sparks flying as metal met metal. The other assassins moved in immediately, drawing their weapons.

Jarek barely had time to curse before he was dodging a blade aimed at his throat.

He stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. Another assassin lunged from his left. The Heart of Ruin pulsed, and Jarek ducked faster than he should have been able to.

The world slowed.

Jarek twisted, grabbing the assassin's wrist mid-strike. Without thinking, he threw them over his shoulder.

The assassin hit the ground hard.

Jarek blinked at his own hands. "Huh. That was—"

A dagger whizzed past his face.

Jarek yelped and dove behind a rock. "Right. No time to admire myself."

Lena, meanwhile, was holding her own like a whirlwind of death. She parried one attack, kicked an opponent into another, and sent two more reeling with a precise counterstrike.

Jarek, on the other hand, was just trying not to die.

One of the assassins rushed him. Jarek barely managed to block with his own sword. The force rattled his arms, but he held firm.

The assassin pressed closer, their strength overpowering him.

Jarek gritted his teeth. His instincts screamed at him to tap into the Heart's power.

For once, he listened.

Dark energy surged through him. His grip tightened, and in a sudden burst of unnatural strength, he shoved the assassin backward.

The assassin stumbled, stunned.

Jarek blinked. "Huh. That actually—"

Before he could finish, Lena grabbed his collar and yanked him behind her.

Jarek coughed. "I had that."

Lena didn't even look at him. "No, you didn't."

Jarek sighed. "Okay, fine."

The remaining assassins circled them, but they hesitated now, warier than before.

The lead assassin—still unharmed—raised a hand. The others stopped immediately.

A long silence stretched.

Then, the assassin laughed.

Jarek frowned. "Uh. Are we laughing because we're about to kill you, or…?"

The assassin ignored him. Instead, they studied Jarek. "You used it."

Jarek tensed. "Used what?"

"The Heart of Ruin," the assassin murmured. "You let it guide you."

Jarek swallowed. "And?"

The assassin tilted their head. "Perhaps you are worthy after all."

Lena's expression darkened. "Explain. Now."

The assassin stepped forward, lowering their hood at last.

To Jarek's shock, it was a woman—no older than Lena. Her eyes were sharp, her features elegant, but her presence radiated danger.

"I am Sylva," she said. "And if you wish to survive what comes next, you will listen carefully."

Jarek and Lena exchanged a glance.

Jarek sighed. "Why do I feel like this is only getting worse?"